Friday, 7 July 2017

Prime Minister Theresa May is withholding a Home Office report on foreign funding of British terrorist organizations because exposing the truth could sour relations with the UK’s major trading and security partner, Saudi Arabia.

The report, commissioned to investigate foreign states funding extremist groups in the UK, has yet to be made public despite being completed six months ago. The government’s reluctance to share it has left many concerned about how ethical Britain’s ongoing diplomatic relationship with the Gulf kingdom is.Green Party co-leader Caroline Lucas branded the delay “astonishing.”“The government is sitting on this report but refusing to publish it or give any reason for their continued secrecy,” the Brighton Pavilion MP said in a statement.

“To defeat terror it’s vital that politicians have full view of the facts, even if they are inconvenient for the government.”She added that the secrecy surrounding the report “leaves question marks over whether their decision is influenced by our diplomatic ties.”Home Office sources insist that, although the report does mention Saudi Arabia, the Gulf theocracy is not its main subject.Prime Minister May has always made clear that Britain’s relationship with the Saudis lies at the core of her diplomatic agenda. She visited Riyadh to discuss strengthening trade ties mere days after triggering the Brexit process.The report, which was commissioned by May’s predecessor, David Cameron, was due to be submitted by Easter last year. It was originally meant to study the origins and extent of funding received by British extremist groups that involve international forces.Responding to parliamentary questions on the document and its delays, May argued that “ministers are considering advice on what is able to be published and will report to parliament with an update in due course.”http://www.blacklistednews.com/Theresa_May_%E2%80%98sitting%E2%80%99_on_UK_terrorism_funding_report_to_protect_Saudi_allies/59503/0/38/38/Y/M.htmlRelated:DIA Admits the West [and Gulf Countries] Supported the Creation of ISIS